The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-23
SELECT STORY.
THE TWO CHRISTMAS TREES.
TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.

Bark was strewn IN the street, and
carriages glided along like noiseless
shadows past the great mansion where
the young widow countess lived. The
door bell was taken off, and the broad
steps were covered with thick carpets;
for death sat at the head of the bed
where lay the widows only child. 1t
had come SO suddenly, so unexpectedly,
just at the time of the children's great
festival on the first year the Christmas
tree was to be lighted for the rosy
checked, bright-eyed boy. Now the
tree stood there decked from top to
root. bending its boughs under the
wealth Of gifts, but no one thought of
lighting the colored candles, for the
red cheeks were pale, the blue eyes
dim. just as the Christmas bells were
ringing he bent bis head with the last
sigh; the young widow was cbildless.
The earth had received what belong
ed to the dust, the father no longer,
rested in the quiet church yard behind
the iron fence but she-how lonely
she wasl How empty were her home
and he. hearti A few days after, the
very last day of the whole year, as she
sat by the grave, how agonizing it
was to think of the past twelvemonth,
when every day the ohild's merry
shouts had wakened her in the morn
ing.
Wearied by weeping, her eyes wan
dered over the iron railing; new
grave had been added since she had
brought her sacrfice-a poor persons
grave with a plain wooden cross.
Some wreaths of moss lay on the earth.
and above the cross hung a homemade
garland of pine twigs. When she
went away she passed it; middle.
aged man lay beneath.
A few steps from the mound she
met the grave-digger strolling along
with rake in his hand. The young
countess stopped to give him an order,
and, as she passed on, inquired who
occupied the new grave.
"a poor workman who was drown
ed,' was the reply.
"Drowned! !"
Eyes, your ladyship; and he leaves
a wife and seven children"
$50 she still has children with rosy
cheeks and sparkling eyes, she is rich
er than H. sighed the widow.
No, pardon me-" replied the grave
digger, leaning on his raSe, 'she has
pale-faced; dull eyed children it's a
sad Christmas for the poor people,
The countess went back and took a
wreath heavy with flowers, one of
many, from her child's grave but
when she approached the wooden cross
TO hang it there in place of the pine
garland, the man stopped her.
"No, let it stay, that wreath is most
sui able, and it has its story too."
"Tell me the story"
"Yes, your ladyship, it isn't long
You see the man who lies there had
some money left over, for he was
sober and diligent, so he bought a little
Christmas tree for the children, which
was to have been lighted on New
Years Eve, but the green branches
were put to different use because
the poor widow had no means to get a
better wreath"
The rich woman silently bowed her
head, then rose, stately and beautiful,
saying:
Where does she live, sitting in her
sorrow among her palefaced chill
dren?"
The way led through narrow streets,
high up dilapidated staircase, and
the countess had much difficulty in
finding it, but at last she reached the
room. A strange, damp odor of we,
walls and old clothes greeted her
There sat the mother sewing by the
fading daylight, while the children's
pallid faces peered out of the corners
The rich and the poor woman gazed
silently at each other a moment, then
the countess said slowly and sadly:
"We have graves side by side in the
churchyard. You have children and
no Christmas tree, l have a Christmas
tree and no children, rise and follow
me-"
The woman stared irresoutely a,
her strange guest, but the countess
continued,
'"Don't you understand me? I am
telling you that have come for you
all, Follow me at once, just as you
are, you and all your children"
So the tree ligh ed lit cast a ruddy
glow on the children's blauehed faces
and their dull eyes began to sparkle
But as the little ones shouted j,you-ly
around the two widows, the poor wo
man flung herself at the countess
feet-she wanted to express her thank,
but could not. The lady raised he
saying:
"You see, have been thinking Sc
constantly abou, my boy, he was th'
light of my eyes aud the joy of my
heart, and now tonight a great sens,
of consolation has come upon m"
When children rejoice, the angels re-
joce too, and among tn m firmly be
lieve is my own boy You have many
mouths and have plenty of bread
come 20 me and we shall both receiv,
a blessing from what God has giver
us--the Christmss blessing, for it wa